What Is It Like to Own a Tesla Model Y?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The popularity of electric vehicles has steadily increased over the years, and more automakers have joined the EV market. With many manufacturers and models available, drivers new to EVs may be wondering just what it’s like to own an EV. One popular car at the top of many driver’s lists is the Model Y, according to Inside EVs. Here’s the breakdown of what to expect when you own a Tesla Model Y.

Tesla Model Y specifications and features

A Tesla Model Y parked outside a Tesla Gigafactory | Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images

The Tesla Model Y is a crossover utility vehicle or CUV. It’s mid-sized, fully electric, and has a sleek profile, common with Tesla’s design strategy. Even though other makes like Subaru may come to mind for a more conventional crossover style, the Model Y definitely fits the bill. The Model Y has all the great attributes of a crossover, like an easy-open rear hatch and ample cargo and cabin space with seating for up to five, but with the sleek sophistication Tesla brings.

According to Tesla, an all-wheel drive dual-motor powers the Model Y. Owners can expect an EPA estimated range of about 303 miles on a full charge and a top speed of about 155 mph.

As far as technology, the Model Y is brimming with it. It comes standard with Tesla’s driver assistance features like Autopilot, 360-degree cameras, and ultrasonic sensors that work to anticipate a collision and brake in the event of an obstacle. In addition, the Model Y can also park itself and navigate out of tight areas or garages. A large 15-inch touchscreen display controls the car’s features and displays battery range and other stats inside. Tesla also periodically releases software updates and improvements over the air for all its cars, including the Model Y. Other features include a huge glass moonroof over the cabin and folding rear seats for extra cargo space.

What it’s like to own a Tesla Model Y

Overwhelmingly, the reviews of the Model Y after one year of ownership were glaringly positive, according to InsideEVs. One driver who shared his experience of his Model Y being a daily driver only had a handful of quirks and annoyances with the car.

Some of the perks are that since the Model Y is a full EV, you never have to head to the gas station for a fill-up. You hop in your car every morning with a full charge and go. That is, as long as you have a home charger. For larger metropolitan areas like LA or if you live in an apartment, it’s fine to go without your own charger at home because of the proliferation of Tesla charging stations. However, if you live in an area far from these charging stations, it’s obviously a concern if you’re looking for a quick charge.

Owners can charge the Model Y without the optional home charger, though. You can plug the car in using a standard wall outlet at home. However, because the voltage on a standard wall outlet is lower than the home charger (120 Volts compared to 240 Volts), it will take several hours to achieve a full charge. This can be a hassle for those who procrastinate charging or forget to plug the car in when they get home.

Some of the benefits of owning the Model Y are the big cargo area which can serve as a sleeping area once you fold down the seats, according to InsideEVs. The car is fun and takes the strife out of daily commutes, even with lots of traffic.

What makes the Model Y and other Teslas cool is the way that that new car feeling doesn’t wear off, InsideEVs says. This is due partly to the over-the-air software updates and improvements, which keep ownership fun and rewarding.

Other Tesla models to consider

Although slightly smaller than the Model Y, the Tesla Model 3 ranks high among driver satisfaction. One high point is the Model 3’s easy charging. Owners with credits can recharge for free at some of Tesla’s Supercharging stations. The car can also be recharged using solar power.

Elsewhere, if cost isn’t a factor, the Tesla Model X is rated among the best luxury SUVs. It’s got a longer range on a full charge and some impressive performance stats with trim upgrades making it a great overall package for the money.

RELATED: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta Will Be Available to the Public In 4 Weeks

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GM Announces Recall for Every Chevy Bolt Ever Made

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Chevy Bolt is one of the most popular, affordable electric vehicles on the market. However, it’s unfortunate battery fire issue is causing General Motors many headaches lately. According to Ars Technica, the Bolt’s problem is due to faults with the LG batteries that the EVs run on. So, what’s all going on with the Chevy Bolt, and what can you do if you own one?

GM is no stranger to massive recalls

The 2022 Chevy Bolt | Chevrolet Pressroom

General Motors has been in the spotlight before for recalls, some of them being rather large. It wasn’t long ago that the automaker dealt with seat belt and suspension problems, which triggered a recall for 840,000 vehicles. The seat belt brackets weren’t properly secured in some of its cars and trucks, and the rear toe links in the suspension had a problem of chipping and rusting over time. 

In 2014, GM had to recall around 8.4 million vehicles due to ignition key rotation issues and faulty ignition switches. It was their largest recall problem of that year, and it spanned across many brands but mostly affected Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. 

This year, however, is another large one that will cost them tons more than previously expected. It started with a recall of the Chevy Bolt’s battery for the 2017 to 2019 models, which the automaker felt was a software issue at the time. The fix failed, and GM had to put out two more recalls since then to fix the battery fire issue. It has cost them around $800 million so far, but since a 2020 model went up in flames recently, the automaker extended the recall for all Bolt models up to the 2022 model year. 

The added cost is expected to cost General Motors another $1 billion. According to The Verge, GM plans to seek reimbursement from LG, the makers of the defective batteries. 

What exactly is the problem with the Chevy Bolt?

Upon investigation, GM determined the issue stems from torn anode tabs and folded separators in the cells of the affected batteries. Originally, officials felt the batteries were coming from one particular factory but have since found that multiple battery manufacturing plants are involved. 

The defects in the batteries are causing the Chevy Bolt models to break out in fires. However, the affected vehicles were never in an accident that would cause the battery to go up in flames. Instead, Bolt models are catching fire while sitting in a garage or parked on a driveway. 

GM wasn’t the only automaker affected by LG’s product. Hyundai had problems earlier with its Kona line but has since switched battery manufacturers. GM, however, is partnering with LG to develop battery plants here, in the U.S. Battery units from LG are planned for future electric vehicles, such as the Hummer EV. 

What should you do if you have a Chevy Bolt EV?

If your Chevy Bolt model falls in the 2017 to 2022 model years, you’re going to have to wait for a replacement. General Motors and LG Chem are diligently working on building batteries to replace the defective ones. Unfortunately, it will take some time. These two companies don’t want to rush it to ensure they produce a safe replacement unit. 

In the meantime, GM asks those with Bolt models not to charge their vehicles over the 90 percent range. The company also requests that owners not let the vehicle’s battery get under the 70-mile remaining range mark. Both of these situations could cause fire issues, so it’s best to avoid them when you can. 

The other tips GM offers include not leaving the vehicle to charge overnight, especially when it’s in a garage next to your home. Keep the Chevy Bolt on a driveway when it’s not being charged until a replacement is completed. 

If you own a vehicle affected by the recall, you will be notified when replacements are available and when and where you can set up an appt to have it fixed. If you don’t hear from General Motors when replacement batteries are made available, be sure to contact your local GM dealer to let them know you have a Chevy Bolt included in the model ranges given. After that, follow any instructions given by the service department. 

RELATED: Why Does GM Have So Many Recalls?

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Mazda Just Shattered the Rumor About the Revival of the Rotary Engine

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Despite its handful of drawbacks, rotary engines have always been one of the coolest ways to power a vehicle. That’s why Mazda has hinted at bringing the rotary back to some of its models in a more modern form. According to DS&F, an electrified revival could be in the works. So, how long has Mazda used the rotary engine, and where could the automaker be taking this new technology?

What’s the deal with the rotary engine?

The Mazda RX-Vision rotary sports concept | KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

Mazda using the rotary engine goes as far back as the 1960s, according to MotorTrend. This type of motor was the brainchild of Felix Wankel, who developed the design in the 1950s. The rotary engine is powered from spinning rotors instead of the pistons we’re familiar with in our modern-day combustible motors. 

When Mazda took it on, it revived its dying brand to avoid a consolidation with another Japanese automaker. The rotary engine proved its worth, and the first vehicle in the Mazda lineup to get it was the 1967 Cosmo Sport 110S. This model ran on a 1.2-liter, two-rotor version that generated 110 horsepower.

What made the rotary motor a powerhouse was the speed it could produce. It turned out to be advantageous with its compact size, which enabled it to provide tons of power without adding too much weight to the vehicle. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as fuel-efficient and could eat through more oil than your typical motor. The automaker continued to use the engine until 2012 when it was no longer viable in its combustible form. Mazda, however, is bringing it back as a whole new design. 

Is Mazda only bringing back rotary engines for EVs?

Mazda had announced the return of the rotary engine, which led many to believe it would be a hydrogen-fueled version. As of right now, it appears that it will only be a range-extender for the likes of the MX-30 and possibly other models. Are we sure that any form of a rotary motor is set for Mazda’s future lineup? Well, it’s not 100 percent, but there are a few pretty convincing clues. 

The automaker applied for at least eight new trademarks, and the names are steering us in an electric direction, according to CarBuzz. The models include the e-SKYACTIV name, with one of three suffixes added. There’s the R-Energy, R-HEV, and the R-EV. The R most likely indicates rotary-powered along with the electric powertrains of each of its hybrid and all-electric models. 

The R-Energy variant is unknown at this time. Whether it refers to the hydrogen-fueled version or not is only speculation right now. Additionally, one more trademark was also applied for, involving a new logo for the Mazda line. It has an uncanny resemblance to a rotor with the letter e infused within it. 

What else does Mazda have in the works?

Some of the trademarks Mazda has applied for appear to be trim-level names or possibly special editions of certain models. One is the VS TERRACOTTA SELECTION. We know the VS refers to the MX-5 Miata RF. The Terracotta portion might refer to a special theme with a terracotta-colored exterior, or interior pieces, as CarBuzz theorizes. 

Another is the PRO-XROSS STYLE. This one more than likely describes some off-road vehicle, which could be a variant on the CX-30 or the CX-8 models. We knew that new anniversary editions would begin selling in Japan for the Mazda CX-30, but it would be a while before they hit American shores due to the pandemic. 

The remaining trademarks were for ‘Field Journey’ and ‘Sports Appearance.’ These two sound more like special edition names as well. Which vehicles they refer to are unknown at this time. 

There is no confirmation yet on Mazda’s rotary engine plans. However, with the news breaking on these trademark applications, we can’t help but think that some form of the motor is on its way, whether it’s fueled by hydrogen or electric power, or possibly both. 

RELATED: Mazda Embraces Performance With Rotary Engine Announcement

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The 2021 Toyota 4Runner’s Surprisingly Terrible Safety Rating

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is the type of SUV that people love. It’s rugged, stylish, and it comes from a reputable car manufacturer. Yet the 2021 Toyota 4Runner’s safety ratings are surprisingly bad. In the IIHS’ crash tests, the Toyota 4Runner had some pretty disappointing results. Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner safe?

2021 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a safe SUV?

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner isn’t winning any safety awards. Its small overlap front: driver side test rating is especially low. The 4Runner received only a marginal in this category. Additionally, the safety cage received a poor rating, which is the worst that a vehicle can get. 

The safety cage is important because it helps to distribute energy from a car accident. Crash zones are in the middle front of the car, so it’s important to test how well a vehicle would do if the front corners of the vehicle were to collide with something. In these types of accidents, the crash energy can push wheel wells into the vehicle, injuring people in the cabin.

Additionally, the lower leg/foot subcategory within the driver injury measures receives only an acceptable rating. All other subcategories, such as head/neck, chest, and hip/thigh receive a good rating. 

The moderate overlap front is better, but still not perfect

The moderate overlap test is conducted by having a vehicle travel at a 2-foot tall deformable aluminum honeycomb barrier at 40 mph. A dummy the size of an average adult man is in the driver seat. 40% of the width of the vehicle on the driver’s side hits the barrier. This test simulates what would happen if two vehicles of the same weight hit each other in a frontal offset crash at just under 40 mph. 

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner does pretty well in this test. It receives a good overall evaluation, as well as a good result in the structure and safety cage and most of the driver injury measures. It’s in these subcategories that the 4Runner has a problem; the head/neck. This only gets an acceptable rating, though all other subcategories are good. 

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner isn’t the easiest SUV to put car seats into

The child seat anchors in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner receive only a marginal rating. The IIHS evaluates the LATCH system which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The IIHS notes that although you can technically use seat belts to properly install a car seat, LATCH systems are supposed to make installing them even easier, and therefore safer. 

The overall evaluation of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner seat belt tethers are only marginal. The IIHS notes that although the anchors are easy to find, people may confuse other hardware for them. They’re also too deep in the seat and it takes too much force to attach a car seat to them. 

Although the 2021 Toyota 4Runner has a lot going for it in terms of style and reputation, it’s worth taking its  safety ratings into account. Although most of the safety ratings are good, the small overlap front: driver side test result is particularly concerning. It may be worthwhile to explore what else is out there that might have better safety ratings. 

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Highlander Is a “Smart Choice” for Families

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